Date of this Version

12-1-2021

Document Type

DNP Project

Abstract

Healthcare providers are more likely to recognize autism in males than females in the United States (U.S.). Females with high-functioning autism are under screened, misdiagnosed, or receive an autism diagnosis at a later age at higher rates than their male counterparts in the U.S. Research indicates that camouflage skills in females with high-functioning autism, as well as knowledge deficits among healthcare providers contribute to the clinical problem. The purpose of this quality improvement project was to increase knowledge awareness of camouflage skills in females with high-functioning autism among healthcare providers in Miami-Dade County, Florida. This project aimed to contribute to the body of nursing knowledge on females with high-functioning autism. A descriptive, cross-sectional, pre- and post- test design was utilized to conduct the project. A convenience sampling method was also employed to recruit eight participants and access data at an outpatient psychiatric clinic in Miami-Dade County, Florida. The project, including the educational intervention, was conducted remotely, and participants completed pre- and post- test surveys using Qualtrics and the modified Camouflaging Autistic Traits Questionnaire (CAT-Q) to assess their knowledge of awareness of camouflage skills in females with high-functioning autism. Results revealed a significant difference between pre- and posttest mean scores, with participants scoring higher on the posttest after an educational intervention, t (7) = 5.96, p = 0.001, (p < 0.05). Healthcare providers should be educated about camouflage skills in females with high-functioning autism to improve healthcare outcomes in this population.

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